About the Institute

The BIGMAP Mission

The Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP) will provide science-based analysis of the risks and benefits of genetically modified plant and animal products. It will provide guidance and education to help safeguard consumers and the environment.

The BIGMAP Vision

BIGMAP will be recognized as an unbiased and credible source of information on biosafety issues for genetically modified products nationally and internationally.

The Institute will provide guidance and recommendations to appropriate policy and regulatory groups, private entitites, and the public so that the best decisions can be made about genetically modified agricultural products (GMAPs) to safeguard the public and the environment. One outcome will be a widely disseminated annual report that will serve as an informative analysis and outlook on current and upcoming GMAP issues. The Institute will be the developer and the clearing house of credible information on GMAPs worldwide. A number of activities of the Biosafety Institute will also provide strong countermeasures to Agroterrorism.

The Institute will examine societal impact by including social, economic, and environmental issues of GMAPs. BIGMAP will enhance the education of students in risk and benefit analysis for successful careers in agricultural and food systems and the bioeconomy.

For more information on BIGMAP objectives, the potential of pharmaceutical crops, and biosensing, visit the following link. Read more.

BIGMAP Advisory Board

Neil Hoffman/Rebecca Bech—
Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS/USDA
Jim Bair—North American Millers' Association
Gregory Jaffe—Director, Biotechnology Project, Centerfor Science in the Public Interest
Bill Horan—Horan Bros.
Brian Rohrig—District Director, Iowa Soybean Association
Brent Halling—Former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
David Lambert—Lambert & Associates

BIGMAP Governance